The Christian holy book is the Bible and this is the most important source of authority for Christians, as it contains the teachings of God and Jesus Christ .
The Eastern Orthodox Churches. The nominal head of the Eastern Orthodox Churches is the Patriarch of Constantinople . However, he is only first among equals and has no real authority over Churches other than his own.
What are the sources of Orthodox theology?
The source of Orthodox theology is believed to be Divine revelation . Orthodox Christians believe that there is an overflowing stream of Divine manifestations or Theophanies (θεοφάνειαι) revealing the Divine intervention in the history of the universe.
Each constituent church is self-governing; its highest-ranking bishop called the primate (a patriarch, a metropolitan or an archbishop) reports to no higher earthly authority. Each regional church is composed of constituent eparchies (or dioceses) ruled by bishops.
What are the main beliefs of Orthodox Christianity?
Eastern Orthodox Christians believe in a single God who is both three and one (triune); the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, “one in essence and undivided”. The Holy Trinity is three “unconfused” and distinct divine persons (hypostases), who share one divine essence (ousia); uncreated, immaterial and eternal.
Which is older Catholic or Orthodox?
Therefore the Catholic Church is the oldest of all . The Orthodox represents the original Christian Church because they trace their bishops back to the five early patriarchates of Rome, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Constantinople and Antioch.
What is the difference between Greek Orthodox and Christianity?
Essentially the Orthodox Church shares much with the other Christian Churches in the belief that God revealed himself in Jesus Christ , and a belief in the incarnation of Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection.
What Bible do the Orthodox use?
| Eastern Orthodox Bible | Translation type Formal equivalence | Religious affiliation Eastern Orthodoxy |
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How does the Orthodox Church worship?
Orthodox Christians do not worship the icons, but pray through the icons to God . There are other services including an evening service of vespers , morning matins and other shorter services based on the Divine Office .
Can Orthodox priests marry?
Under Orthodox rules, a celibate priest cannot marry after ordination , and a non-celibate priest cannot remarry and remain a priest, even if his wife dies, he said. Widowers who remain celibate can become bishops, but that’s happened just once.
Who is the leader of Orthodox church?
The church has no central doctrinal or governmental authority analogous to the bishop of Rome (Pope), but the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople is recognised by all bishops as primus inter pares (“first among equals”) and regarded as the representative and spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians.
How is Orthodox different from Catholic?
The Catholic Church believes the pope to be infallible in matters of doctrine. Orthodox believers reject the infallibility of the pope and consider their own patriarchs , too, as human and thus subject to error. ... Most Orthodox Churches have both ordained married priests and celibate monastics, so celibacy is an option.
Why did the Orthodox church split from the Catholic Church?
The Great Schism came about due to a complex mix of religious disagreements and political conflicts . One of the many religious disagreements between the western (Roman) and eastern (Byzantine) branches of the church had to do with whether or not it was acceptable to use unleavened bread for the sacrament of communion.
Why is the Orthodox cross different?
The Russian Orthodox cross differs from the Western cross. The cross usually has three crossbeams , two horizontal and the third one is a bit slanted. The middle bar was where Christ’s hands were nailed. ... Thus bottom bar of the cross is like the scale of justice and its points show the way to the Hell and Heaven.
Do Greek Orthodox believe in Heaven?
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, heaven is part and parcel of deification (theosis) , the eternal sharing of the divine qualities through communion with the Triune God (reunion of Father and Son through love).
Does the Orthodox Church use the rosary?
The number of beads varies by religion or use. ... Roman Catholics use the Rosary (Latin “rosarium”, meaning “rose garden”) with 59 beads. However, Eastern Orthodox Christians use a knotted prayer rope called either a komboskini or chotki , with 100 knots, although prayer ropes with 50 or 33 knots can also be used.
